Discover how to have great conversation skills, how to make small talk and how to overcome shyness and nerves when meeting new people.
Superior communication skills are a question of strategy. Learn the right approach and excellent people skills are inevitable. Your confidence will soar!
This blog is managed by Peter Murphy, peak performance expert and published author.

Monday, February 21, 2005

Many people worry about how to start a conversation. Whileother people instinctively know how to start a conversationand it comes almost naturally.

Are you comfortable that you know how to start aconversation? Do you become tongue tied not sure what tosay? If you are not then there are many valuable resourcesavailable to help you learn the art of conversation.

Here are three simple ways that you can learn how to starta conversation and keep it going.

1. Be confident in yourself.

Consider that the other person has an interest in what itis you have to say. Sometimes people have trouble withconversation because of a lack of confidence in themselves.

The irony is that even if you are only pretending to beconfident other people will assume that you are confident.They will then be more responsive to what you say and itbecomes easier to engage them in conversation.

2. Think of a compliment.

A great way to start a conversation is by complimentingsomeone to. For example, you might say, "By the way Susanthat was an excellent presentation you gave today."

Tell someone you like his new car, his shoes, his hair orthe way he talks and you will have set the scene for afriendly chat.

It is very hard for anyone to resist positive feedback. Weall love to hear sincere compliments and we then feelcompelled to treat the giver of the compliment favorably.

3. Ask the other person questions about themselves.

There's no better way to start a conversation than asksomeone a question about themselves.

Most people love to talk about themselves. If you asksomeone a question about themselves you will most likelynot have to do any other talking throughout the rest of theconversation.

And most likely that personal will leave the conversationthinking very highly of you because you cared so much aboutthem and their interests.

They will certainly consider that you are a greatconversationalist even though you may have said very little.

These three simple tips are all you need to learn how tostart a conversation and keep it going. Not only are theabove tips helpful in learning how to start a conversationbut they will also work in keeping a conversation flowing.

For example, if the conversation seems to come to an endprematurely ask another question or make another compliment.

You can change your life and now is the time to start.

Exceptional conversation skills can be learned...

Find a proven formula and follow it. You will be amazed athow quickly you will progress.

Although some people fear otherwise, conversation skillscan be learned by anyone of at least average intelligence.The difficulties you had in the past will not stop youmaking rapid progress now.

What matters is learning a proven approach you can use forthe rest of your life.

I did it.

It only took me 14 years to figure out a step bystep formula. Are there any short cuts to learningexceptional conversation skills?

There certainly are.

Get out your copy of my proven system and startapplying the lessons, one at a time. Take a littleeach day and you will be stunned by your progress.

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recentlyrevealed the secret strategies all high achievers use tocommunicate with charm and impact. The same techniques youcan use to overcome shyness, develop great conversationskills and build self-confidence. Click here now to testthis simple step-by-step system:http://www.howtotalkwithconfidence.com

Start your 365 day trial today.

P.S. the key to greater success and happiness in life issimple - make new friends, develop new contacts, helpothers and let others help you. Without better peopleskills we all get stuck where we are.